Monday, April 16, 2012

Back On Crafty Track

Let's intersperse my holiday snaps with some crafty projects.

As my Uterus Is Now A Temple, I have decided to try my hand at knitting baby things. This is possibly because, as an expecting mother, I have been bitten by the Provide For My Child bug: my offspring shall be clad in my wonky knitting attempts, because ... well, because I (sort of) can. This is a little piecework cardigan that is actually a double crime: (a) it's knit in acrylic (eeek!) and (b) in a shade of yarn known disparagingly as "clown burps" by people who knit with mermaid bumfluff. I have been told time and time again to knit pieces of clothing in one piece - I have been directed to patterns for top-down cardigans and one-piece raglan jackets - but I prefer to knit in small, manageable pieces that I can sew together. This is something I share with my mother; clearly, we have a short attention span.


But I decided to give the one-piece cardigans a whirl - hence the apple green piece on the needles - but rows of 100+ stitches are really quite odious to work through. As a crocheter, one likes to see a bit more action and, quite frankly, a little more progress after two or three hours of knitting. But I will persevere, 'cause I'm cranky like that.

And I'm crocheting - cream, cappuccino and sky blue yarns.This one is working up very quickly. I think it's going to be nice!

22 comments:

Janelle said...

Lovely sweater(s)! I know acrylic is practically sinful to some but when it comes to babies and their many types of leaking fluids, acrylics wash up with very little fuss.

Ruth said...

You'll be very happy you knit in acrylic when the baby upchucks, burps, cheeses, pees and poops. Just toss it into the washing machine, and that's it.

I like your clownbarf sweater. It's lively and cute, and the baby will look adorable in it.

nursenikkiknits said...

Love the "clown burbs"! What a perfect cardigan fro a wee one.
As a mother of two, I only knit for babies with acrylic or superwash wool. No mother I know had time for all that handwashing (and by the time they actually get around to handwashing it, the kid will have grown out of it!)

sara said...

Great blog, love your sense of humour.................your woolly offerings are quite delectable too.

Gracey is not my name.... said...

Love the "clown barf" sweater...my Hubs is attracted to "clown barf" colors in yarn and have picked out several for me. Love the Apple Green and so with you on crochet is quicker! Sheesh! And the blanket will be perfect!

linda said...

I love your cardigan, lovely colours. I know what you mean about knitting it is slower than crochet but it's nice to have a change sometimes. As for acrylic I use it all the time and I think it's ok especially for little ones as Janelle says it washes well. :)

Emily said...

Whilst my heart says "organic unbleached fairtrade cotton", five babies later I will cry : "acrylic!!!!!" nothing more distressing than day-glo yellow poop permanently staining the above cotton. I love the clown-yarn cardigan (your inner hippy coming out) and the blanket IS going to be gorgeous. Love to you and The Bean xxx

The Foggy Knitter said...

When the photo came up I was thinking "what lovely bright colours"! I was also thinking "I'd like some socks that colour". Though I have to admit I'd give the acrylic a miss, but that's just my preference. Likewise knit how you like. I can't stand seaming, but if you don't mind it then go for it!

Paula said...

I really like the top cardigan with it's bright colours, and that green is gorgeous. When I was pregnant with my son me and my mum joined efforts and made almost everything from sheets for the cot with cross stitched motifs to the bath towels, bibs, etc. I still have it all.

The crochet blanket is beautiful, those colours work so well together.

Die Backfee said...

I love the colours of your crochet work! They fit perfectly together! Is it going to be an afghan or what else are you planning with it?
Greetings from Nürnberg,
Sabrina

Chain Stitch Crochet said...

Love the cream, cappucino and sky blue together. The clown burps is a nice color. I'm not a knitter, at all. I've tried several times and really, really, really want to make some socks but I don't think it's going to happen. :o(

Petunia Pill said...

What a cute sweater! If you'd mentioned it in a prior post, I certainly missed that you're expecting! Congrats! I have friends who are expecting and my hook has been flying with baby things in recent months! Can't wait to see your finished blankie...love the colors!

Unknown said...

I think the sweater is GORGEOUS!! Such scrummy colours!!! The green also looks super cool so persevere with the pattern - I'll be interested to see it finished. What pattern are you using? I'm crocheting a stripy blanket at the moment also in cappuccino and sky blue - LOVE the combo! Yours look dreamy! lolx

Emma (GirlAnachronismE) said...

I love the clown barf sweater, it's so cute!

Karen said...

cute!

I have exactly that same problem when knitting - I always feel like I am going nowhere fast.

blessings
Karen

anon said...

Whatever's wrong with acrylic? Some of it is lovely and soft these days, it washes well, and best of all (IMHO) there's no question of any animal suffering in its production. And it's cheap. Win win win win.

Sue said...

I love that little cardi, so jolly! And the blanket is so pretty, is that a baby item too?

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, congratulations! I just had my little one on Easter morning (on her due date, she made quite an entrance!) and I totally understand the whole 'must provide for the wee ones!' desire! Thankfully my inability to crochet or knit while pregnant (either morning sickness or a looming kidney stone--or both--left me nauseated when even LOOKing at yarn. You can imagine my distress!!) seems to be gone now that I have my daughter!

I don't think even my moderately mermaid bumfluff self would disparage such a delightful yarn for a little jacket! I must become brave enough to try sweaters/garmets of any sort, because gosh that is seriously darling!

Congrats again!!

Susan in SC said...

I love all of these! I especially like the colors of the blocks! So pretty!!!

Anonymous said...

I really like everything you're making, and the colours you choose!!
...I like crocheting a lot, but I still am learning!!
Greetings!
Laura

Dollymix said...

Hiya, your work is great. Love the cream cappaccino and sky blanket. I would love to have a go at this pattern for my nephew when he is born. Could you tell me what pattern you used please? Or where I can find it? Been looking everywhere for a spot pattern but can't find any! Thank you

The Gingerbread Lady said...

@ Dollymix - so sorry about the long delay in replying!
The pattern is here:
http://gingerschatz.blogspot.de/2012/06/pattern-circle-in-square.html